Based on a True StoryMon, 13 Aug 2018 10:00:00 +0000Mon, 13 Aug 2018 10:01:32 +0000Libsyn WebEngine 2.0http://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/
enhttp://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/danlefeb@gmail.com (danlefeb@gmail.com)http://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/2/4/1/0/24103690eb1151fa/basedonatruestorypodcast-logo-v2.jpgBased on a True StoryDan LeFebvregames,history,movies,story,truecleandanlefeb@gmail.comepisodicRabbit-Proof FenceMon, 13 Aug 2018 10:00:00 +0000When three girls are taken from their homes, they risk their lives to find the rabbit-proof fence in Australia and walk home over a thousand miles away.

]]>34:42clean111fullCommunion with Rob KristoffersenMon, 30 Jul 2018 10:00:00 +0000Dive into the world of the supernatural as I'm joined by UFO expert Rob Kristoffersen to chat about Whitley Strieber's experience that we saw in the movie Communion.

]]>01:03:56clean110fullGoodbye Christopher RobinMon, 16 Jul 2018 10:00:00 +0000How much do you know about the story behind Winnie the Pooh? Let's dive into the beloved children's stories as we compare history with the movie Goodbye Christopher Robin.

]]>30:20clean109fullThe Ghost and the DarknessMon, 02 Jul 2018 10:00:00 +0000The Ghost and the Darkness tells the story of the man-eaters of Tsavo as they terrified railway workers in 1898. Did it really happen? Let's find out.

]]>27:47clean107fullElizabethMon, 04 Jun 2018 10:00:00 +0000Producer Melissa requested we cover the movie Elizabeth, so pack your bags and travel back in time to the days just after King Henry VIII as we compare the movie with history.

]]>39:42clean106fullBlack Hawk DownMon, 21 May 2018 10:00:00 +0000When Hollywood covers the Battle of Mogadishu, how much of what we see is accurate? That's what Based on a True Story Producer Brian wanted to know when he requested this week's episode.]]>When Hollywood covers the Battle of Mogadishu, how much of what we see is accurate? That's what Based on a True Story Producer Brian wanted to know when he requested this week's episode.]]>42:40clean105fullHousekeepingMon, 21 May 2018 09:30:00 +0000The term "housekeeping" in a podcast refers to the parts at the beginning or end of a show where the host makes announcements and updates. With the podcast coming back, I'll outline some of the changes as we peel back the layers of the podcast to give you an inside look behind the mic.]]>The term "housekeeping" in a podcast refers to the parts at the beginning or end of a show where the host makes announcements and updates. With the podcast coming back, I'll outline some of the changes as we peel back the layers of the podcast to give you an inside look behind the mic.]]>36:12no105fullLowell LeFebvreMon, 23 Apr 2018 10:00:00 +0000One month ago today, my father passed away unexpectedly. As this podcast is something I do in my spare time, there are more important things going to eat up that time. For now, it's time to take a step back from the podcast.

Based on a True Story will be back at some point. I don't know when. If you stay subscribed, you'll be the first to get new episodes when they're available.

]]>One month ago today, my father passed away unexpectedly. As this podcast is something I do in my spare time, there are more important things going to eat up that time. For now, it's time to take a step back from the podcast.

Based on a True Story will be back at some point. I don't know when. If you stay subscribed, you'll be the first to get new episodes when they're available.

]]>15:48clean103fullJackieMon, 16 Apr 2018 10:00:00 +0000When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, a family was left without a father. A wife without her husband. That's the scenario behind the 2016 Jackie, and the subject of this week's episode.

]]>22:45clean102fullThe Last of the MohicansMon, 09 Apr 2018 10:00:00 +0000For generations, James Fenimore Cooper's classic American novel has been recreated in various forms for the big and small screen. As a novel, it's not entirely factual and yet it's a film many consider to be true by its mere popularity. This week we'll learn about the most recent and most popular rendition, the 1992 version of The Last of the Mohicans.

]]>For generations, James Fenimore Cooper's classic American novel has been recreated in various forms for the big and small screen. As a novel, it's not entirely factual and yet it's a film many consider to be true by its mere popularity. This week we'll learn about the most recent and most popular rendition, the 1992 version of The Last of the Mohicans.

]]>29:29clean101fullKing ArthurKing ArthurMon, 02 Apr 2018 10:00:00 +0000To celebrate the show's anniversary and episode 100, we'll be looking at a story that's special to me...that of King Arthur. We can't hope to cover everything about Arthur that's been written for thousands of years in a single episode, but we'll try to get a good primer about the story as we saw in 2004's King Arthur.

]]>To celebrate the show's anniversary and episode 100, we'll be looking at a story that's special to me...that of King Arthur. We can't hope to cover everything about Arthur that's been written for thousands of years in a single episode, but we'll try to get a good primer about the story as we saw in 2004's King Arthur.

]]>01:01:28clean99fullPirates of Silicon ValleyPirates of Silicon ValleyMon, 26 Mar 2018 10:00:00 +0000Mac vs PC. It's a flame war that's fueled by people on both sides who love to hate the other side. How did it all start? We'll find out as we dig into the true story behind Pirates of Silicon Valley.

]]>Mac vs PC. It's a flame war that's fueled by people on both sides who love to hate the other side. How did it all start? We'll find out as we dig into the true story behind Pirates of Silicon Valley.

]]>45:50clean98fullBonnie and ClydeBonnie and ClydeMon, 19 Mar 2018 10:00:00 +0000The 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde was one of the films that many consider to be the starting point for the taming of violence in mainstream Hollywood. How much of it was true? Let's find out.

]]>42:38clean96fullSweet DreamsSweet DreamsMon, 05 Mar 2018 11:00:00 +0000Today is the 55th anniversary of the surprise death of country music legend Patsy Cline. In honor of her life, let's learn more about it as we compare history with the 1985 biopic, Sweet Dreams.

]]>32:02clean95fullAnastasiaAnastasiaMon, 26 Feb 2018 11:00:00 +0000The 1997 animated film Anastasia tells a beautifully touching tale of the Grand Duchess trying to find her family...but how much of the story we see on screen is true? This week we'll dive into the mystery surrounding the story of Anatasia's alleged disappearance.

]]>The 1997 animated film Anastasia tells a beautifully touching tale of the Grand Duchess trying to find her family...but how much of the story we see on screen is true? This week we'll dive into the mystery surrounding the story of Anatasia's alleged disappearance.

]]>48:57clean94fullBONUS: From Hell and the Historical ContextBONUS: From Hell and the Historical ContextMon, 19 Feb 2018 14:00:00 +0000This week we learned about Jack the Ripper's brutal murders. After you listen to the regular episode, this bonus episode will help us get a little better historical context. You'll get a peek into some of the research that goes into episodes as we follow each murder with articles and reports from the time of Jack the Ripper's reign of terror in London.

Be warned, this episode contains some very disturbing content about the Jack the Ripper murders. Listen to this on your own before listening with kids.

]]>This week we learned about Jack the Ripper's brutal murders. After you listen to the regular episode, this bonus episode will help us get a little better historical context. You'll get a peek into some of the research that goes into episodes as we follow each murder with articles and reports from the time of Jack the Ripper's reign of terror in London.

Be warned, this episode contains some very disturbing content about the Jack the Ripper murders. Listen to this on your own before listening with kids.

]]>02:49:09clean93bonusFrom HellFrom HellMon, 19 Feb 2018 11:00:00 +0000Jack the Ripper was a serial killer before the term was coined. Be warned, today's episode contains some very disturbing content about the murders...check it out before listening with kids.

]]>52:50clean93fullThe Other Boleyn GirlThe Other Boleyn GirlMon, 12 Feb 2018 11:00:00 +00002008's The Other Boleyn Girl gives us a peek into what it could've been like roaming the English court during King Henry VIII's reign. But how much of what we saw of the relationship between King Henry VIII, Anne and her sister Mary Boleyn was true? That's what we'll find out as we compare history with The Other Boleyn Girl.

Learn more about the true story and more at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/92-the-other-boleyn-girl/

This episode was a special request from official BOATS Producer Heidi. Along with access to past and future bonus episodes and early access, she got to request a movie to be covered and have it cut to the front of the line by becoming a Producer. Learn more at: https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/support/

]]>2008's The Other Boleyn Girl gives us a peek into what it could've been like roaming the English court during King Henry VIII's reign. But how much of what we saw of the relationship between King Henry VIII, Anne and her sister Mary Boleyn was true? That's what we'll find out as we compare history with The Other Boleyn Girl.

Learn more about the true story and more at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/92-the-other-boleyn-girl/

This episode was a special request from official BOATS Producer Heidi. Along with access to past and future bonus episodes and early access, she got to request a movie to be covered and have it cut to the front of the line by becoming a Producer. Learn more at: https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/support/

]]>44:18clean92fullThe HindenburgThe HindenburgMon, 05 Feb 2018 11:00:00 +0000It was an event that was compared to the sinking of the Titanic, except when the Hindenburg crashed it was caught on film...ending the promising industry of commercial airship travel. This week we're comparing history with the 1975 Oscar-nominated film that shows one of the conspiracy theories about the cause of the disaster.

Learn more about the true story and more at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/91-the-hindenburg/

]]>It was an event that was compared to the sinking of the Titanic, except when the Hindenburg crashed it was caught on film...ending the promising industry of commercial airship travel. This week we're comparing history with the 1975 Oscar-nominated film that shows one of the conspiracy theories about the cause of the disaster.

Learn more about the true story and more at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/91-the-hindenburg/

]]>36:56clean90fullThe Man in the Iron MaskThe Man in the Iron MaskMon, 22 Jan 2018 11:00:00 +0000In a highly requested episode, this week we're focusing on the film starring a young Leonardo DiCaprio heading up an all-star cast in this classic interpretation of the Alexandre Dumas classic.

]]>34:26clean89fullBirth of the DragonBirth of the DragonMon, 15 Jan 2018 11:00:00 +0000It was an epic fight between two martial arts masters...Bruce Lee and Wong Jack Man. But how much of the film that was inspired by this true event is actually true?

]]>26:56clean88fullHawmps! with Scott RankHawmps! with Scott RankMon, 08 Jan 2018 11:00:00 +0000Ever heard of the U.S. Cavalry's attempts at replacing horses with camels? Historian, author and podcaster Scott Rank joins me on this episode to learn more about this little-known event in U.S. history.

]]>Ever heard of the U.S. Cavalry's attempts at replacing horses with camels? Historian, author and podcaster Scott Rank joins me on this episode to learn more about this little-known event in U.S. history.

]]>51:12clean87fullThe Lost City of ZThe Lost City of ZMon, 01 Jan 2018 11:00:00 +0000Happy New Year! Pack your backs for our first adventure of the year. We're headed to the Amazon today as we compare history with The Lost City of Z.

]]>50:16clean86fullChristmas Special 2017Christmas Special 2017Mon, 25 Dec 2017 11:00:00 +0000Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! With today being Christmas, I wanted to do something a little different and share a few classic holiday tales to help keep you company as you handle your holiday tasks, whether they're around the house or around town.

]]>Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! With today being Christmas, I wanted to do something a little different and share a few classic holiday tales to help keep you company as you handle your holiday tasks, whether they're around the house or around town.

]]>01:32:37clean85fullThe Greatest ShowmanThe Greatest ShowmanMon, 18 Dec 2017 11:00:00 +0000Just in time for Christmas day, a new film being released tells the story of a young P.T. Barnum's rise to riches. But who was the real P.T. Barnum and how did he really begin the "greatest show on earth"?

]]>Just in time for Christmas day, a new film being released tells the story of a young P.T. Barnum's rise to riches. But who was the real P.T. Barnum and how did he really begin the "greatest show on earth"?

]]>38:49clean84fullBecoming JaneBecoming JaneMon, 11 Dec 2017 11:00:00 +0000Jane Austen's relationship with Tom Lefroy was something we saw on screen during the 2007 film Becoming Jane. But was it real, or just a fictional story? Let's find out.

]]>37:59clean83fullPearl Harbor and Tora! Tora! Tora! with Corey ConstablePearl Harbor and Tora! Tora! Tora! with Corey ConstableMon, 04 Dec 2017 11:00:00 +0000December 7th is Pearl Harbor Day, and the perfect day to watch a movie in remembrance of that day. Which one should you watch? This week I'm joined by Corey Constable from the Omitted podcast to discuss the historical accuracy of both 2001's Pearl Harbor and 1970's Tora! Tora! Tora! to determine which one you should watch this Pearl Harbor Day.

Find more at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/82-pearl-harbor-and-tora-tora-tora-with-corey-constable/

]]>December 7th is Pearl Harbor Day, and the perfect day to watch a movie in remembrance of that day. Which one should you watch? This week I'm joined by Corey Constable from the Omitted podcast to discuss the historical accuracy of both 2001's Pearl Harbor and 1970's Tora! Tora! Tora! to determine which one you should watch this Pearl Harbor Day.

Find more at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/82-pearl-harbor-and-tora-tora-tora-with-corey-constable/

]]>57:03clean82fullKingdom of HeavenKingdom of HeavenMon, 27 Nov 2017 11:00:00 +0000Today is the 922nd anniversary of Pope Urban II preaching the Crusades. That's why we're going back to the 12th century this week to learn the true story behind the movie Kingdom of Heaven.

]]>31:34clean81fullDas BootDas BootMon, 20 Nov 2017 11:00:00 +0000Even today, Das Boot is seen as one of the defining films to showcase what World War II was like for German submariners. But was it true? That's what we'll aim to find out in this episode.

]]>01:05:13clean80fullDarkest HourDarkest HourMon, 13 Nov 2017 11:00:00 +0000In a couple of weeks, the movie Darkest Hour will dive into the life of Winston Churchill. With that in mind, let's do our own dive into the life of the politician and speaker this week so when you go see the movie you'll be able to tell how accurate it is.

]]>In a couple of weeks, the movie Darkest Hour will dive into the life of Winston Churchill. With that in mind, let's do our own dive into the life of the politician and speaker this week so when you go see the movie you'll be able to tell how accurate it is.

]]>29:41clean79fullGrace of MonacoGrace of MonacoMon, 06 Nov 2017 11:00:00 +0000Nicole Kidman stars as actress Grace Kelly in a film that tells the story of her transition from Hollywood royalty to actual royalty as the Princess of Monaco. How much of the film is true? That's what we'll find out in this episode.

]]>Nicole Kidman stars as actress Grace Kelly in a film that tells the story of her transition from Hollywood royalty to actual royalty as the Princess of Monaco. How much of the film is true? That's what we'll find out in this episode.

]]>35:12clean78fullThe Mothman Prophecies with Sam FredricksonThe Mothman Prophecies with Sam FredricksonMon, 30 Oct 2017 10:00:00 +0000Happy Halloween! To get in the spirit of the season, this week I'll be joined by Sam Fredrickson from the Not Alone podcast as we dive into what really happened surrounding The Mothman Prophecies.

]]>01:21:30clean77fullLovingLovingMon, 23 Oct 2017 10:00:00 +0000Loving was released in 2016 and depicts the story of Richard and Mildred Loving as they struggled against racial barriers. Their case, Loving v Virginia, would go all the way to the Supreme Court and be the catalyst to legalizing interracial marriages in the United States today.

]]>Loving was released in 2016 and depicts the story of Richard and Mildred Loving as they struggled against racial barriers. Their case, Loving v Virginia, would go all the way to the Supreme Court and be the catalyst to legalizing interracial marriages in the United States today.

]]>30:01clean76fullThe Right StuffThe Right StuffMon, 16 Oct 2017 10:00:00 +0000The 1983 film The Right Stuff is considered by many to be an epic masterpiece. Before the Apollo program, The Right Stuff tells the story of the first astronauts in the United States and the race to get into space.

]]>The 1983 film The Right Stuff is considered by many to be an epic masterpiece. Before the Apollo program, The Right Stuff tells the story of the first astronauts in the United States and the race to get into space.

]]>01:20:24clean75fullMata HariMata HariMon, 09 Oct 2017 10:00:00 +0000We're diving into the classics this week as we compare history with Mata Hari. Released in 1931, Mata Hari tells the story of the woman who many considered to be one of the most dangerous spies during World War I.

]]>We're diving into the classics this week as we compare history with Mata Hari. Released in 1931, Mata Hari tells the story of the woman who many considered to be one of the most dangerous spies during World War I.

]]>35:31clean74fullFlash of GeniusFlash of GeniusMon, 02 Oct 2017 10:00:00 +0000If you're a fan of history, 2008's Flash of Genius tells the story about something that probably never even crossed your mind. One man's journey to inventing the intermittent windshield wiper and how the huge car manufacturers tried to steal it from him.

]]>If you're a fan of history, 2008's Flash of Genius tells the story about something that probably never even crossed your mind. One man's journey to inventing the intermittent windshield wiper and how the huge car manufacturers tried to steal it from him.

]]>43:20clean70fullBreachBreachMon, 04 Sep 2017 10:00:00 +0000Spies and espionage between Russia and the USA. It almost seems like it could be a subject in today's headlines, but on this week's episode we'll look at one of the most damaging cases of espionage inside the FBI.

]]>Spies and espionage between Russia and the USA. It almost seems like it could be a subject in today's headlines, but on this week's episode we'll look at one of the most damaging cases of espionage inside the FBI.

]]>39:05clean69fullLawless with Matt BondurantLawless with Matt BondurantMon, 28 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0000Matt Bondurant joins us on this week's episode as we compare what really happened with the movie Lawless. Matt's grandfather, Jack, and two grand-uncles that were the inspiration for his book that the movie is based on, The Wettest County in the World.

]]>Matt Bondurant joins us on this week's episode as we compare what really happened with the movie Lawless. Matt's grandfather, Jack, and two grand-uncles that were the inspiration for his book that the movie is based on, The Wettest County in the World.

]]>01:22:48clean67fullThe Ten Commandments (Part 1)The Ten Commandments (Part 1)Mon, 14 Aug 2017 10:00:00 +0000With almost four hours of movie and plenty of religious subject matter to cover, we'll have to split this movie up into two parts to do it justice. On this episode we'll cover all the way up until the movie's intermission.

]]>With almost four hours of movie and plenty of religious subject matter to cover, we'll have to split this movie up into two parts to do it justice. On this episode we'll cover all the way up until the movie's intermission.

]]>27:15clean64fullCool RunningsCool RunningsMon, 24 Jul 2017 10:00:00 +0000Jamaica we have a bobsled team! Every sports fan loves the story of an underdog's rise to success. Disney's Cool Runnings is that and more. But is it historically accurate? That's what we aim to discover on this week's episode.

]]>Jamaica we have a bobsled team! Every sports fan loves the story of an underdog's rise to success. Disney's Cool Runnings is that and more. But is it historically accurate? That's what we aim to discover on this week's episode.

]]>28:39clean63fullValkyrieValkyrieMon, 17 Jul 2017 10:00:00 +0000Political mutiny and clandestine plots against Adolf Hitler are the subject of this week's episode as we compare history with 2008's Valkyrie.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/62-valkyrie/

]]>Political mutiny and clandestine plots against Adolf Hitler are the subject of this week's episode as we compare history with 2008's Valkyrie.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/62-valkyrie/

]]>50:15clean62fullDunkirkDunkirkMon, 10 Jul 2017 10:00:00 +0000Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk comes out on July 21st, but before it does let's take a moment to learn the true story so you can judge the film's historical accuracy for yourself when you go see it in theaters.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/61-dunkirk/

]]>Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk comes out on July 21st, but before it does let's take a moment to learn the true story so you can judge the film's historical accuracy for yourself when you go see it in theaters.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/61-dunkirk/

]]>29:20clean61fullThe PatriotThe PatriotMon, 03 Jul 2017 10:00:00 +0000July 4th is America's birthday, and this week we'll honor that as we compare history with Mel Gibson's epic Hollywood blockbuster, The Patriot.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/60-the-patriot/

]]>July 4th is America's birthday, and this week we'll honor that as we compare history with Mel Gibson's epic Hollywood blockbuster, The Patriot.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/60-the-patriot/

]]>42:55clean60fullTombstoneTombstoneMon, 26 Jun 2017 10:00:00 +0000Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday have earned quite a reputation thanks to numerous Hollywood incarnations over the years. Arguably one of the most popular was with Tombstone. Let's find out how historically accurate Tombstone was.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/59-tombstone/

]]>Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday have earned quite a reputation thanks to numerous Hollywood incarnations over the years. Arguably one of the most popular was with Tombstone. Let's find out how historically accurate Tombstone was.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/59-tombstone/

]]>54:47clean59fullSchindler's ListSchindler's ListMon, 19 Jun 2017 10:00:00 +0000It was one of the darkest hours in the world and amidst the horrors, Oskar Schindler managed to help save many lives from certain death. This week we'll find out how much of it was actually true as we compare history with Schindler's List.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/58-schindlers-list/

]]>It was one of the darkest hours in the world and amidst the horrors, Oskar Schindler managed to help save many lives from certain death. This week we'll find out how much of it was actually true as we compare history with Schindler's List.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/58-schindlers-list/

]]>45:25clean58fullBehind the True Story of Bitter HarvestBehind the True Story of Bitter HarvestMon, 12 Jun 2017 10:00:00 +0000In a first for Based on a True Story, we'll get an exclusive peek behind the true story of Bitter Harvest from the film's writer, Richard Bachynsky-Hoover.

See some behind the scenes images and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/57-behind-the-true-story-of-bitter-harvest/

]]>In a first for Based on a True Story, we'll get an exclusive peek behind the true story of Bitter Harvest from the film's writer, Richard Bachynsky-Hoover.

See some behind the scenes images and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/57-behind-the-true-story-of-bitter-harvest/

]]>33:19clean57fullThe ExperimentThe ExperimentMon, 05 Jun 2017 10:00:00 +0000Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker put on a great performance in The Experiment in a story that's based on what most consider the most controversial psychology experiment in modern history. Was it proof that evil conquers good? Or was it just an example of a single experiment gone wrong? You decide...

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/56-the-experiment/

]]>Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker put on a great performance in The Experiment in a story that's based on what most consider the most controversial psychology experiment in modern history. Was it proof that evil conquers good? Or was it just an example of a single experiment gone wrong? You decide...

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/56-the-experiment/

]]>49:42clean56fullA League of Their OwnA League of Their OwnMon, 29 May 2017 10:00:00 +0000May 30th, 1943 was opening day for a new league. Did women really replace the men in baseball during World War II? This week on the podcast we'll learn more about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League as we compare history with A League of Their Own.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/55-a-league-of-their-own/

]]>May 30th, 1943 was opening day for a new league. Did women really replace the men in baseball during World War II? This week on the podcast we'll learn more about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League as we compare history with A League of Their Own.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/55-a-league-of-their-own/

]]>39:47clean55fullMen of HonorMen of HonorMon, 22 May 2017 10:00:00 +0000Carl Brashear was the first to do many things. This week we'll compare history with Cuba Gooding Jr and Robert DeNiro's film Men of Honor.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/54-men-of-honor/

]]>Carl Brashear was the first to do many things. This week we'll compare history with Cuba Gooding Jr and Robert DeNiro's film Men of Honor.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/54-men-of-honor/

]]>36:48clean54fullCadillac RecordsCadillac RecordsMon, 15 May 2017 10:00:00 +0000In a special listener request, we'll cover Cadillac Records and learn the true story behind the history of blues in Chicago.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/53-cadillac-records/

]]>In a special listener request, we'll cover Cadillac Records and learn the true story behind the history of blues in Chicago.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/53-cadillac-records/

]]>34:21clean53fullThe UntouchablesThe UntouchablesMon, 08 May 2017 10:00:00 +0000Special guest Cody Wheat from the Shots of History podcast joins me this week as we compare history with The Untouchables.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/52-the-untouchables/

]]>Special guest Cody Wheat from the Shots of History podcast joins me this week as we compare history with The Untouchables.

Get the transcript and full show notes at https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/52-the-untouchables/

]]>34:09clean52fullCitizen KaneCitizen KaneMon, 01 May 2017 10:00:00 +0000Today, Citizen Kane is considered by many to be one of the greatest films of all time. However, when the movie Citizen Kane was released, the man who's life inspired the film was outraged. He tried his best to keep the movie from seeing the light of day. What would spark such outrage? Let's compare history with Citizen Kane.

]]>Today, Citizen Kane is considered by many to be one of the greatest films of all time. However, when the movie Citizen Kane was released, the man who's life inspired the film was outraged. He tried his best to keep the movie from seeing the light of day. What would spark such outrage? Let's compare history with Citizen Kane.

]]>27:32clean51fullMulanMulanMon, 24 Apr 2017 10:00:00 +0000No one expects Disney's Mulan to be very historically accurate, but let's take a few moments to learn more about the real story behind the movie.

]]>20:25clean50fullLawrence of ArabiaLawrence of ArabiaMon, 17 Apr 2017 10:00:00 +0000Very few classic films from Hollywood have shaped how people in the U.S. see the Middle East more than Lawrence of Arabia...but is the movie historically accurate?

]]>36:37clean49fullUSS Indianapolis: Men of CourageUSS Indianapolis: Men of CourageMon, 10 Apr 2017 10:00:00 +0000It was the single worst sea disaster in the U.S. Navy, and it was covered up by the U.S. government at the end of World War II. Learn the true story behind USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage.

]]>49:12clean48fullNewsiesNewsiesMon, 03 Apr 2017 10:00:00 +0000Newsies tells the story of the little guys (quite literally, the young newsboys) against "the man". In this case, "the man" being newspaper barons Joseph Pulitzer and William Hearst.

As fun as the movie may be, is it historically accurate? Let's find out!

]]>40:36clean47fullThe Fellowship of the RingThe Fellowship of the RingSat, 01 Apr 2017 10:00:00 +0000You know the story. Frodo and his band of companions start the journey to take the One Ring to Mordor. But is the story we saw on the big screen true to the story?

]]>47:14clean46fullBraveheartBraveheartMon, 27 Mar 2017 10:00:00 +0000William Wallace is still considered to be an incredibly important person in Scottish history. But is Mel Gibson's version accurate to the real William in history? Let's find out!

]]>47:39clean45fullThe Men Who Stare at GoatsThe Men Who Stare at GoatsMon, 20 Mar 2017 10:00:00 +0000Who doesn't love a good conspiracy theory? We've got a doozy this week as we compare history with The Men Who Stare at Goats.

]]>33:26clean44fullWalt Before MickeyWalt Before MickeyMon, 13 Mar 2017 10:00:00 +0000Are you a Disney fan? Let's dive into the remarkable early life of Walt Disney as we compare history with the movie Walt Before Mickey.

]]>42:22clean42fullLionLionMon, 27 Feb 2017 11:00:00 +0000Did you watch the Oscars last night? What a crazy turn of events with the whole Best Picture scandal. While most of the media will be covering Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway's goof at the end, we'll be covering one of the movies nominated for Best Picture that was based on the an amazing true story. Today, let's compare history with Hollywood's version of Lion.

]]>Did you watch the Oscars last night? What a crazy turn of events with the whole Best Picture scandal. While most of the media will be covering Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway's goof at the end, we'll be covering one of the movies nominated for Best Picture that was based on the an amazing true story. Today, let's compare history with Hollywood's version of Lion.

]]>35:53clean41fullBitter HarvestBitter HarvestMon, 20 Feb 2017 11:00:00 +0000This Friday, Bitter Harvest hits the theaters and tells a story that most people haven't heard. Learn the true story before you go see the film.

]]>34:04clean40fullFlorence Foster JenkinsFlorence Foster JenkinsMon, 13 Feb 2017 11:00:00 +0000Florence Foster Jenkins is up for a couple Academy Awards. Let's find out how accurate the movie is by comparing Hollywood with history.

]]>48:14clean36fullTitanicTitanicMon, 16 Jan 2017 11:00:00 +0000You've seen the movie. But how much of Titanic was true, and how much of it was made up for the film? Let's compare history with Hollywood's blockbuster film, Titanic.

]]>01:13:43clean35fullThe PianistThe PianistMon, 09 Jan 2017 11:00:00 +0000He lived through unthinkable measures. At a time when millions were slaughtered, including his family and friends, Wladyslaw Szpilman managed to survive the Holocaust. He was The Pianist, and in 2003 there was a movie starring Adrian Brody telling his incredible story.

But how much of it is true? Let's compare history with Hollywood's version of The Pianist.

]]>He lived through unthinkable measures. At a time when millions were slaughtered, including his family and friends, Wladyslaw Szpilman managed to survive the Holocaust. He was The Pianist, and in 2003 there was a movie starring Adrian Brody telling his incredible story.

But how much of it is true? Let's compare history with Hollywood's version of The Pianist.

]]>27:49clean34fullHidden FiguresHidden FiguresMon, 02 Jan 2017 11:00:00 +0000This week we'll do something a bit different as we look ahead. Instead of learning about a movie that's already been released, we'll look ahead to a movie coming out this next weekend.

Hidden Figures tells the remarkable story of women at NASA who worked as Computers. Before you go see the movie in theaters, learn more about the women so you'll be able to tell just how accurate the movie is on your own.

]]>This week we'll do something a bit different as we look ahead. Instead of learning about a movie that's already been released, we'll look ahead to a movie coming out this next weekend.

Hidden Figures tells the remarkable story of women at NASA who worked as Computers. Before you go see the movie in theaters, learn more about the women so you'll be able to tell just how accurate the movie is on your own.

]]>27:24clean33fullA Beautiful MindA Beautiful MindMon, 26 Dec 2016 11:00:00 +0000On October 11th, 1994, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced their Nobel prize winners. Three brilliant scientists jointly won the coveted award. They were Professor John C. Harsanyi from the University of California, Berkley, Dr. John F. Nash from Princeton University and Professor Dr. Reinhard Selten, from the University of Bonn in Bonn, Germany.

Less than a month later, on November 13th, 1994, a writer for The New York Times wrote a great article called The Lost Years of a Nobel Laureate which told the story of one of those men, Dr. John Nash. The author of that article was Sylvia Nasar.

Sylvia, who was a staff writer at the Times when she wrote the article, would go on to expand on the article. In 1998, her book called A Beautiful Mind was released to critical acclaim. It would go on to be nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and win the National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography.

Soon after, muti-award winning Hollywood producer Brian Grazer read an excerpt from Sylvia's book in the Vanity Fair magazine. Brian is the co-founder of Imagine Entertainment, a company he co-founded with director Ron Howard in 1986. Brian's films, which include some we've covered on the podcast such as Apollo 13 and Frost/Nixon, have won 43 Academy Awards and 131 Emmys. Needless to say, he knows a good story when he sees one. And he wasted no time in purchasing the film rights for Sylvia's book.

On December 13th, 2001, the film A Beautiful Mind premiered to a limited audience before it's nation-wide release on January 4th, 2002. With a budget of about $58 million, A Beautiful Mind had an all-star cast led by Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany and more. All under the helm of the talented Ron Howard as director.

The film was a smash hit as it earned over $317 million worldwide on its way to winning the coveted Oscar for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Despite such great numbers, many critics said the filmmakers changed around many of the key details, and omitted many more. Are they correct? Let's find out as we dive into the world of the Nobel Laureate John Forbes Nash, Jr., as we learn the true story behind A Beautiful Mind.

]]>On October 11th, 1994, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced their Nobel prize winners. Three brilliant scientists jointly won the coveted award. They were Professor John C. Harsanyi from the University of California, Berkley, Dr. John F. Nash from Princeton University and Professor Dr. Reinhard Selten, from the University of Bonn in Bonn, Germany.

Less than a month later, on November 13th, 1994, a writer for The New York Times wrote a great article called The Lost Years of a Nobel Laureate which told the story of one of those men, Dr. John Nash. The author of that article was Sylvia Nasar.

Sylvia, who was a staff writer at the Times when she wrote the article, would go on to expand on the article. In 1998, her book called A Beautiful Mind was released to critical acclaim. It would go on to be nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and win the National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography.

Soon after, muti-award winning Hollywood producer Brian Grazer read an excerpt from Sylvia's book in the Vanity Fair magazine. Brian is the co-founder of Imagine Entertainment, a company he co-founded with director Ron Howard in 1986. Brian's films, which include some we've covered on the podcast such as Apollo 13 and Frost/Nixon, have won 43 Academy Awards and 131 Emmys. Needless to say, he knows a good story when he sees one. And he wasted no time in purchasing the film rights for Sylvia's book.

On December 13th, 2001, the film A Beautiful Mind premiered to a limited audience before it's nation-wide release on January 4th, 2002. With a budget of about $58 million, A Beautiful Mind had an all-star cast led by Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany and more. All under the helm of the talented Ron Howard as director.

The film was a smash hit as it earned over $317 million worldwide on its way to winning the coveted Oscar for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Despite such great numbers, many critics said the filmmakers changed around many of the key details, and omitted many more. Are they correct? Let's find out as we dive into the world of the Nobel Laureate John Forbes Nash, Jr., as we learn the true story behind A Beautiful Mind.

]]>23:23clean32fullJoyeux NoëlJoyeux NoëlMon, 19 Dec 2016 11:00:00 +0000With the Christmas season upon us, I wanted to cover a film that'd help represent the Christmas spirit.

In 2005, French filmmaker Christian Carion released his second full-length feature film. Joyeux Noël, which translated to English means Merry Christmas, was released in France on November 9th, 2005, and only ended up making about $3.5 million at the box office. That's significantly less than the $22 million it cost to make.

The film wasn't released in the United States until June of 2006, which might be why it only made about $1 million in the U.S. A film about Christmas released in June doesn't set it up for success.

Still, despite not winning at the box office the film won the hearts of critics. In 2006, Joyeux Noël was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film of the Year at the Academy Awards, the Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes and the Best Film not in the English Language at the BAFTA Awards.

The story behind the film is of the 1914 Christmas truce, an event that took place as World War I was just getting started, and almost ended it before it began. Seemingly out of nowhere, enemy soldiers decided to lay down their arms and instead spent December 25th, 1914, by singing Christmas songs and exchanging gifts. What more could highlight the Christmas spirit than soldiers deciding to stop one of the bloodiest wars in human history?

Even if it was just for a short time.

At the end of Joyeux Noël, there's a bit of text on the screen that says the characters are fictional. But it's director, Christian Carion, claims the film is historically accurate. So how accurate is it?

]]>With the Christmas season upon us, I wanted to cover a film that'd help represent the Christmas spirit.

In 2005, French filmmaker Christian Carion released his second full-length feature film. Joyeux Noël, which translated to English means Merry Christmas, was released in France on November 9th, 2005, and only ended up making about $3.5 million at the box office. That's significantly less than the $22 million it cost to make.

The film wasn't released in the United States until June of 2006, which might be why it only made about $1 million in the U.S. A film about Christmas released in June doesn't set it up for success.

Still, despite not winning at the box office the film won the hearts of critics. In 2006, Joyeux Noël was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film of the Year at the Academy Awards, the Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes and the Best Film not in the English Language at the BAFTA Awards.

The story behind the film is of the 1914 Christmas truce, an event that took place as World War I was just getting started, and almost ended it before it began. Seemingly out of nowhere, enemy soldiers decided to lay down their arms and instead spent December 25th, 1914, by singing Christmas songs and exchanging gifts. What more could highlight the Christmas spirit than soldiers deciding to stop one of the bloodiest wars in human history?

Even if it was just for a short time.

At the end of Joyeux Noël, there's a bit of text on the screen that says the characters are fictional. But it's director, Christian Carion, claims the film is historically accurate. So how accurate is it?

]]>34:11clean31fullSpotlightSpotlightMon, 12 Dec 2016 11:00:00 +0000Tom McCarthy started his acting career with a short movie in 1989 called Roast Suckling. Although that's probably not something most have seen, he's one of those actors that you'd recognize when you see him. Probably because he's been in a lot of movies and TV shows you've seen.

He played a background character in Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts' 1997 thriller Conspiracy Theory.

In 2000, Tom has a recurring role on Boston Public as the character Kevin Riley. After more background character roles in movies such as Syriana and the Oscar nominated Flags of Our Fathers, Tom again had a recurring role on a TV show in 2008, this time for The Wire.

Some of Tom's more recent characters were Gordon, the loveable doctor who plays the new husband of John Cusack's ex-wife in the disaster movie 2012. Or as Dr. Bob in the comedy Little Fockers.

But Tom's career extends way beyond acting.

In 2009, Tom worked with Pete Docter and Bob Peterson to write the Pixar movie Up. In 2011, he directed the pilot episode for a little show on HBO called Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, HBO didn't like how it turned out, so they had to reshoot it.

Tom's career hit new heights when he wrote and directed the film that won the Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Eight movies were nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture in 2016. While the writers for films like Room and Brooklyn were inspired by things that happened in history, their stories aren't based on those events. Still, that leaves four movies that were based on a true story.

They are The Revenant, which was a movie we already learned about in the first episode, The Big Short, Bridge of Spies, and last but not least, the movie that is the topic of our story today.

Spotlight ended up beating out the other seven nominees as it won two of the seven Oscars it was nominated for, including the coveted Best Picture and Best Writing, Original Screenplay for Tom McCarthy and his writing partner, Josh Singer.

Although Spotlight tells the story of corruption and cover-ups in the Catholic Church, Josh Singer explained in an interview with Creative Screenwriting that was secondary to the movie's plot. Josh said, "This story isn’t about exposing the Catholic Church. We were not on some mission to rattle people’s faith. In fact, Tom came from a Catholic family. The motive was to tell the story accurately while showing the power of the newsroom—something that’s largely disappeared today. This story is important. Journalism is important, and there is a deeper message in the story."

So if the cover-up was secondary to the movie's story, how much of the film was true?

]]>Tom McCarthy started his acting career with a short movie in 1989 called Roast Suckling. Although that's probably not something most have seen, he's one of those actors that you'd recognize when you see him. Probably because he's been in a lot of movies and TV shows you've seen.

He played a background character in Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts' 1997 thriller Conspiracy Theory.

In 2000, Tom has a recurring role on Boston Public as the character Kevin Riley. After more background character roles in movies such as Syriana and the Oscar nominated Flags of Our Fathers, Tom again had a recurring role on a TV show in 2008, this time for The Wire.

Some of Tom's more recent characters were Gordon, the loveable doctor who plays the new husband of John Cusack's ex-wife in the disaster movie 2012. Or as Dr. Bob in the comedy Little Fockers.

But Tom's career extends way beyond acting.

In 2009, Tom worked with Pete Docter and Bob Peterson to write the Pixar movie Up. In 2011, he directed the pilot episode for a little show on HBO called Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, HBO didn't like how it turned out, so they had to reshoot it.

Tom's career hit new heights when he wrote and directed the film that won the Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Eight movies were nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture in 2016. While the writers for films like Room and Brooklyn were inspired by things that happened in history, their stories aren't based on those events. Still, that leaves four movies that were based on a true story.

They are The Revenant, which was a movie we already learned about in the first episode, The Big Short, Bridge of Spies, and last but not least, the movie that is the topic of our story today.

Spotlight ended up beating out the other seven nominees as it won two of the seven Oscars it was nominated for, including the coveted Best Picture and Best Writing, Original Screenplay for Tom McCarthy and his writing partner, Josh Singer.

Although Spotlight tells the story of corruption and cover-ups in the Catholic Church, Josh Singer explained in an interview with Creative Screenwriting that was secondary to the movie's plot. Josh said, "This story isn’t about exposing the Catholic Church. We were not on some mission to rattle people’s faith. In fact, Tom came from a Catholic family. The motive was to tell the story accurately while showing the power of the newsroom—something that’s largely disappeared today. This story is important. Journalism is important, and there is a deeper message in the story."

So if the cover-up was secondary to the movie's story, how much of the film was true?

]]>34:49clean30fullThe Sound of MusicThe Sound of MusicMon, 05 Dec 2016 11:00:00 +0000There are few movies that stand near the top of the all-time list for income. One of those movies is The Sound of Music.

With a budget of about $8 million when it was produced in the 1960s, it was one of the bigger budget films when it was made. That $8 million is about $62 million in today's United States dollars.

When it was released in 1965, it raked in over 35 times that amount, about $286 million on its way to an impressive five Academy Awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture in 1966. That equates to about $2.1 billion dollars today. Yes, that's billion with a "b". And since then it's made a couple hundred million more. So when you adjust for inflation, as of this writing, that ranks The Sound of Music as the fifth-highest grossing film of all time. That's behind Gone with the Wind at number one, followed by Avatar, Star Wars, and Titanic.

In a 2008 interview, the youngest of the von Trapp family portrayed in the film, Johannes von Trapp, said, "The Sound of Music was great, but it was an American version of my family’s life. It wasn’t what we were."

So if the movie isn't who they were, that begs the question: who were the real von Trapp family?

]]>There are few movies that stand near the top of the all-time list for income. One of those movies is The Sound of Music.

With a budget of about $8 million when it was produced in the 1960s, it was one of the bigger budget films when it was made. That $8 million is about $62 million in today's United States dollars.

When it was released in 1965, it raked in over 35 times that amount, about $286 million on its way to an impressive five Academy Awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture in 1966. That equates to about $2.1 billion dollars today. Yes, that's billion with a "b". And since then it's made a couple hundred million more. So when you adjust for inflation, as of this writing, that ranks The Sound of Music as the fifth-highest grossing film of all time. That's behind Gone with the Wind at number one, followed by Avatar, Star Wars, and Titanic.

In a 2008 interview, the youngest of the von Trapp family portrayed in the film, Johannes von Trapp, said, "The Sound of Music was great, but it was an American version of my family’s life. It wasn’t what we were."

So if the movie isn't who they were, that begs the question: who were the real von Trapp family?

]]>30:12clean29fullCaptain PhillipsCaptain PhillipsMon, 28 Nov 2016 11:00:00 +0000Between 2004 and 2016, Paul Greengrass directed a total of six movies. Four of those have Matt Damon in them. Three of them are about the fictitious Jason Bourne character. Two of them are based on a true story.

Today, we're going to be looking at one of those movies.

In an effort to make 2013's Captain Phillips as authentic as possible, Paul Greengrass kept two groups of actors separate. One group had Tom Hanks playing the man the movie is named after, Captain Rich Phillips. In the other group were the actors portraying the Somali pirates.

These two groups of actors never met until their roles on set together. In an interview after the film was released, Tom Hanks explained, "We were kept separate for all that time. We could see guys that looked like they were Somalis but we didn't know who was who until they came roaring into us the day that we were shooting the scene where they were taking over the bridge of the ship."

Despite attempts at making the film as realistic as possible by doing things like keeping the actors separate, after Captain Phillips was released, many of the crewmen claimed the movie didn't accurately depict what happened.

With a budget of $55 million, Captain Phillips made about half that on opening weekend on its way to a profitable $107 million in theaters. It was also nominated for six Oscars, and while it didn't end up winning at the Academy Awards, much of the movie's success can be attributed to the amazingly intense way the film portrays the situation. It seems so real. But is it?

]]>Between 2004 and 2016, Paul Greengrass directed a total of six movies. Four of those have Matt Damon in them. Three of them are about the fictitious Jason Bourne character. Two of them are based on a true story.

Today, we're going to be looking at one of those movies.

In an effort to make 2013's Captain Phillips as authentic as possible, Paul Greengrass kept two groups of actors separate. One group had Tom Hanks playing the man the movie is named after, Captain Rich Phillips. In the other group were the actors portraying the Somali pirates.

These two groups of actors never met until their roles on set together. In an interview after the film was released, Tom Hanks explained, "We were kept separate for all that time. We could see guys that looked like they were Somalis but we didn't know who was who until they came roaring into us the day that we were shooting the scene where they were taking over the bridge of the ship."

Despite attempts at making the film as realistic as possible by doing things like keeping the actors separate, after Captain Phillips was released, many of the crewmen claimed the movie didn't accurately depict what happened.

With a budget of $55 million, Captain Phillips made about half that on opening weekend on its way to a profitable $107 million in theaters. It was also nominated for six Oscars, and while it didn't end up winning at the Academy Awards, much of the movie's success can be attributed to the amazingly intense way the film portrays the situation. It seems so real. But is it?

]]>34:13clean28fullPocahontasPocahontasMon, 21 Nov 2016 11:00:00 +0000With the Thanksgiving season upon us, I thought it'd be a great opportunity to travel back in time to the days of Colonial America. Then I realized there's not really a lot of movies about the actual Thanksgiving story. So I decided to go with something that, although not about the Thanksgiving story itself, could transport us back to those days. And it's also a great opportunity to do something we haven't tackled yet on the podcast, a Disney animation.

In the mid-1990s, the animation team at Disney was on a roll. Tapping into their pool of talent, Aladdin animator Eric Goldberg and The Rescuers Down Under director Mike Gabriel teamed up to take on a new challenge: adapting a true story for the big screen in Pocahontas.

Timed to release on exactly 400 years after the real Pocahontas was born, Disney released their own musical interpretation of the story on June 16th, 1995. The movie boasted an amazing all-star cast including Irene Bedard, Mel Gibson, and Christian Bale, just to name a few.

With a budget at about $55 million to make, it was a smash hit in the box office as it raked in over half that in the opening weekend. In all, it made over $140 million in theaters. At the time, that put it at #8 on the all-time Disney list of box office results. Of course, as time goes on its dropped quite a bit—as of recording this, thanks to Disney's acquisition of Pixar and Star Wars, Pocahontas is #65.

While it was certainly a box office success, Pocahontas was severely criticized by a lot of historians for telling a tale that most people now believe to be a true story when, in fact, it was almost entirely inaccurate with what actually happened.

Music from this episode

]]>With the Thanksgiving season upon us, I thought it'd be a great opportunity to travel back in time to the days of Colonial America. Then I realized there's not really a lot of movies about the actual Thanksgiving story. So I decided to go with something that, although not about the Thanksgiving story itself, could transport us back to those days. And it's also a great opportunity to do something we haven't tackled yet on the podcast, a Disney animation.

In the mid-1990s, the animation team at Disney was on a roll. Tapping into their pool of talent, Aladdin animator Eric Goldberg and The Rescuers Down Under director Mike Gabriel teamed up to take on a new challenge: adapting a true story for the big screen in Pocahontas.

Timed to release on exactly 400 years after the real Pocahontas was born, Disney released their own musical interpretation of the story on June 16th, 1995. The movie boasted an amazing all-star cast including Irene Bedard, Mel Gibson, and Christian Bale, just to name a few.

With a budget at about $55 million to make, it was a smash hit in the box office as it raked in over half that in the opening weekend. In all, it made over $140 million in theaters. At the time, that put it at #8 on the all-time Disney list of box office results. Of course, as time goes on its dropped quite a bit—as of recording this, thanks to Disney's acquisition of Pixar and Star Wars, Pocahontas is #65.

While it was certainly a box office success, Pocahontas was severely criticized by a lot of historians for telling a tale that most people now believe to be a true story when, in fact, it was almost entirely inaccurate with what actually happened.

]]>28:15clean27fullDefianceDefianceMon, 14 Nov 2016 11:00:00 +0000Nechama Tec was born in Lublin, Poland in 1931. When she was eight years old, her life would forever change as Nazis invaded her hometown. As a Polish Jew, she survived the Holocaust thanks to Polish Catholics who hid her from the Nazis.

Over forty years later, in the 1980s, Nechama started doing research on the events that she had lived through. Her book, When Light Pierced the Darkness: Christian Rescue of Jews in Nazi-Occupied Poland was published in 1986. It was while Nechama was researching for this book that she called up a man named Tuvia Bielski, who was living in Brooklyn at the time.

"He was very friendly and wanted to know what book I'm writing," Nechama recalled in an interview with NPR. After explaining that she was researching the story of a man who had helped over 300 Jews escape the Nazis, Tuvia replied: "Big deal. When you come to me, I will show you how people saved more than a thousand."

And that's how Nechama found the topic for her next book, which would be published in 1993 titled Defiance: The Bielski Partisans.

Nechama's book about the Bielski brothers never reached #1 on the New York Times Best-Seller's List, but it won numerous awards, including the International Anne Frank Special Recognition Prize.

One of Edward Zwick's friends found the book and was so fascinated by it that he passed it onto the director. Initially, Edward was hesitant of doing yet another Holocaust movie, but he was so enthralled by the story that he couldn't resist. In 1999, Edward acquired the film rights and started work on the film.

It took nearly a decade before it was ready to start shooting. And when it did, they had to act fast. Actor Daniel Craig was cast for the lead role in May of 2007, but they had to start shooting right away so he could move onto another obligation as James Bond in Quantum of Solace. So shooting for Defiance began in September of 2007 and wrapped up in just three months.

On January 19th, 2009, Defiance was released to underwhelming box office numbers. With a budget of $32 million, the film would go on to only make back about $28 million in theaters. After Nechama saw the film, she was shocked by some of the changes Hollywood made.

Let's find out just how much changed as we learn the true story behind Defiance.

]]>Nechama Tec was born in Lublin, Poland in 1931. When she was eight years old, her life would forever change as Nazis invaded her hometown. As a Polish Jew, she survived the Holocaust thanks to Polish Catholics who hid her from the Nazis.

Over forty years later, in the 1980s, Nechama started doing research on the events that she had lived through. Her book, When Light Pierced the Darkness: Christian Rescue of Jews in Nazi-Occupied Poland was published in 1986. It was while Nechama was researching for this book that she called up a man named Tuvia Bielski, who was living in Brooklyn at the time.

"He was very friendly and wanted to know what book I'm writing," Nechama recalled in an interview with NPR. After explaining that she was researching the story of a man who had helped over 300 Jews escape the Nazis, Tuvia replied: "Big deal. When you come to me, I will show you how people saved more than a thousand."

And that's how Nechama found the topic for her next book, which would be published in 1993 titled Defiance: The Bielski Partisans.

Nechama's book about the Bielski brothers never reached #1 on the New York Times Best-Seller's List, but it won numerous awards, including the International Anne Frank Special Recognition Prize.

One of Edward Zwick's friends found the book and was so fascinated by it that he passed it onto the director. Initially, Edward was hesitant of doing yet another Holocaust movie, but he was so enthralled by the story that he couldn't resist. In 1999, Edward acquired the film rights and started work on the film.

It took nearly a decade before it was ready to start shooting. And when it did, they had to act fast. Actor Daniel Craig was cast for the lead role in May of 2007, but they had to start shooting right away so he could move onto another obligation as James Bond in Quantum of Solace. So shooting for Defiance began in September of 2007 and wrapped up in just three months.

On January 19th, 2009, Defiance was released to underwhelming box office numbers. With a budget of $32 million, the film would go on to only make back about $28 million in theaters. After Nechama saw the film, she was shocked by some of the changes Hollywood made.

Let's find out just how much changed as we learn the true story behind Defiance.

]]>33:39clean26fullThe Wolf of Wall StreetThe Wolf of Wall StreetMon, 07 Nov 2016 11:00:00 +0000The latest in the line of collaborations between actor Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese is 2013's The Wolf of Wall Street. It received positive reviews, and also held the honor of topping the most-pirated films list of 2014. That's according to copyright tracking firm Excipio, which puts out a list of the most pirated films each year. Their report indicated The Wolf of Wall Street was the most-pirated in 2014 with over 30 million illegal downloads.

But that didn't stop The Wolf of Wall Street from raking in almost $400 million, about four times what it cost to make, and making it Martin Scorsese's highest-grossing film.

Oh, and as a fun little fact, the movie also had variations on the F-word being said 569 times. Since the film clocks in at an even 180 minutes, or exactly three hours, that comes to 3.16 uses per minute.

That's the most uses in a mainstream film, assuming you don't count 2014's Swearnet: The Movie and a documentary dedicated to the word. And the swearing is just part of it. The film was on the path to an NC-17 rating thanks to rampent use of explicit sex, drugs and, of course, the swearing. But that wouldn't work in theaters, so Scorsese agreed to remove a few scenes filled with sex and nudity so it could get an R rating.

If you've seen the movie, you'll know how crazy the story is. Surely most of that was added for the big screen. Or was it?

]]>The latest in the line of collaborations between actor Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese is 2013's The Wolf of Wall Street. It received positive reviews, and also held the honor of topping the most-pirated films list of 2014. That's according to copyright tracking firm Excipio, which puts out a list of the most pirated films each year. Their report indicated The Wolf of Wall Street was the most-pirated in 2014 with over 30 million illegal downloads.

But that didn't stop The Wolf of Wall Street from raking in almost $400 million, about four times what it cost to make, and making it Martin Scorsese's highest-grossing film.

Oh, and as a fun little fact, the movie also had variations on the F-word being said 569 times. Since the film clocks in at an even 180 minutes, or exactly three hours, that comes to 3.16 uses per minute.

That's the most uses in a mainstream film, assuming you don't count 2014's Swearnet: The Movie and a documentary dedicated to the word. And the swearing is just part of it. The film was on the path to an NC-17 rating thanks to rampent use of explicit sex, drugs and, of course, the swearing. But that wouldn't work in theaters, so Scorsese agreed to remove a few scenes filled with sex and nudity so it could get an R rating.

If you've seen the movie, you'll know how crazy the story is. Surely most of that was added for the big screen. Or was it?

]]>23:33clean25fullThe ConjuringThe ConjuringMon, 31 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000Happy Halloween! I wanted to do something special this week. I thought it'd be fun to cover the true story behind something scary. But after starting to look for some movies to fit the bill, I quickly realized most of the scary movies that claim to be based on a true story also require a belief in something extraordinary—something supernatural.

Some stories are simply strange, and we don't know the truth. The only thing we do know is what those who lived through the events claim. With that in mind, and in the spirit of Halloween, let's hear the tale of those who were involved and see how it compares to Hollywood's reinterpretation of The Conjuring.

Music from this episode

]]>Happy Halloween! I wanted to do something special this week. I thought it'd be fun to cover the true story behind something scary. But after starting to look for some movies to fit the bill, I quickly realized most of the scary movies that claim to be based on a true story also require a belief in something extraordinary—something supernatural.

Some stories are simply strange, and we don't know the truth. The only thing we do know is what those who lived through the events claim. With that in mind, and in the spirit of Halloween, let's hear the tale of those who were involved and see how it compares to Hollywood's reinterpretation of The Conjuring.

]]>29:37clean24fullSteve JobsSteve JobsMon, 24 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000Few can debate the huge impact Steve Jobs had on the world. So it's no wonder that after Steve Jobs passed away in 2011, there was in influx of news and media surrounding the life of the outspoken Apple co-founder and CEO.

If you listened to episode on The Social Network, you'll already know how Aaron Sorkin dropped the true story for a good story. So how did he do for his movie about Apple's famous CEO and co-founder? Let's find out as we compare Hollywood with history for 2015's Steve Jobs.

]]>Few can debate the huge impact Steve Jobs had on the world. So it's no wonder that after Steve Jobs passed away in 2011, there was in influx of news and media surrounding the life of the outspoken Apple co-founder and CEO.

If you listened to episode on The Social Network, you'll already know how Aaron Sorkin dropped the true story for a good story. So how did he do for his movie about Apple's famous CEO and co-founder? Let's find out as we compare Hollywood with history for 2015's Steve Jobs.

]]>32:04clean23fullAmazing GraceAmazing GraceMon, 17 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000Whether or not you're even religious, you've probably heard of the song Amazing Grace. It's one of those Christian hymns that just about everyone has heard, or at least heard of, at some point. It was first published in 1779 by John Newton.

While you may think the named after John's song is about John's life, it's not. Instead it's about a man who was perhaps the first to be influenced by John's moving life story and the song. It's about a man who was perhaps the single most influential man in the abolishment of slavery in Britain. Let's learn the true story behind the movie Amazing Grace.

]]>Whether or not you're even religious, you've probably heard of the song Amazing Grace. It's one of those Christian hymns that just about everyone has heard, or at least heard of, at some point. It was first published in 1779 by John Newton.

While you may think the named after John's song is about John's life, it's not. Instead it's about a man who was perhaps the first to be influenced by John's moving life story and the song. It's about a man who was perhaps the single most influential man in the abolishment of slavery in Britain. Let's learn the true story behind the movie Amazing Grace.

]]>28:07clean22fullThe Finest HoursThe Finest HoursMon, 10 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000In a retelling of one of the greatest moments in U.S. Coast Guard's history, The Finest Hours is a feel-good movie of true heroism. When sitting down to write the film, screenwriters Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson had the chance to do something not everyone does: interview the actual people who lived the story.

Since they had the chance to talk to the survivors, does that mean the story was historically accurate? Let's find out as we learn about the true story of The Finest Hours.

]]>In a retelling of one of the greatest moments in U.S. Coast Guard's history, The Finest Hours is a feel-good movie of true heroism. When sitting down to write the film, screenwriters Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson had the chance to do something not everyone does: interview the actual people who lived the story.

Since they had the chance to talk to the survivors, does that mean the story was historically accurate? Let's find out as we learn about the true story of The Finest Hours.

]]>27:08clean21fullThe Black DahliaThe Black DahliaMon, 03 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000Elizabeth Short's murder was considered to be the crime of the century. And it's a mystery that many are still fascinated by, decades later. So when Brian De Palma directed a 2006 movie of the same name, many moviegoers wanted to see a true crime story of The Black Dahlia.

They were sorely disappointed. Let's dive into the real story of The Black Dahlia and find out just how accurate the movie was.

]]>Elizabeth Short's murder was considered to be the crime of the century. And it's a mystery that many are still fascinated by, decades later. So when Brian De Palma directed a 2006 movie of the same name, many moviegoers wanted to see a true crime story of The Black Dahlia.

They were sorely disappointed. Let's dive into the real story of The Black Dahlia and find out just how accurate the movie was.

]]>34:38clean20fullDeepwater HorizonDeepwater HorizonMon, 26 Sep 2016 10:00:00 +0000The movie Deepwater Horizon comes out on this Friday. So again we're going to take some time to look ahead at a movie. Before you go see the movie in theaters, let's take a few minutes to learn what happened before, during, and after the disaster so you'll know just how accurate Hollywood was during its retelling.

]]>The movie Deepwater Horizon comes out on this Friday. So again we're going to take some time to look ahead at a movie. Before you go see the movie in theaters, let's take a few minutes to learn what happened before, during, and after the disaster so you'll know just how accurate Hollywood was during its retelling.

]]>20:38clean19fullThe Great EscapeThe Great EscapeMon, 19 Sep 2016 10:00:00 +0000Despite having an all-star cast and being based on a true story, most of the characters in the film didn't actually exist. Instead, Hollywood opted to merge together multiple people into a single character to help push the story forward while not having to deal with an ensemble cast in the hundreds.

As I'm sure you can guess, this also forced them to change the story around from the way things really happened.

]]>Despite having an all-star cast and being based on a true story, most of the characters in the film didn't actually exist. Instead, Hollywood opted to merge together multiple people into a single character to help push the story forward while not having to deal with an ensemble cast in the hundreds.

As I'm sure you can guess, this also forced them to change the story around from the way things really happened.

]]>30:27clean18fullArgoArgoMon, 12 Sep 2016 11:00:00 +0000Even though Argo starts off with text that says it's based on a true story, the movie was actually based primarily on two sources: a book by Tony Mendez, the CIA agent Ben Affleck plays, and a 2007 article on Wired by Joshuah Bearman.

So how much of Argo is true? And how much of it was fictionalized for the film?

]]>Even though Argo starts off with text that says it's based on a true story, the movie was actually based primarily on two sources: a book by Tony Mendez, the CIA agent Ben Affleck plays, and a 2007 article on Wired by Joshuah Bearman.

So how much of Argo is true? And how much of it was fictionalized for the film?

]]>23:32clean17fullPawn SacrificePawn SacrificeMon, 05 Sep 2016 11:00:00 +0000Pawn Sacrifice tells the story of one of the greatest chess players of all time—Bobby Fischer. How do you make the game of chess into an interesting story? With Bobby Fischer's life, you don't need to stretch it too far.

]]>Pawn Sacrifice tells the story of one of the greatest chess players of all time—Bobby Fischer. How do you make the game of chess into an interesting story? With Bobby Fischer's life, you don't need to stretch it too far.

]]>59:40clean15fullThe Danish GirlThe Danish GirlMon, 22 Aug 2016 11:00:00 +0000Lili Isle Elvenes, better known as Lili Elbe, was one of the first known recipients of a gender reassignment surgery. In 2015, her life was brought to the forefront of many people's minds when Alicia Vikander won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the film. Despite the film's success at the Academy Awards, there was a fair share of inaccuracies in the story on the big screen.

]]>Lili Isle Elvenes, better known as Lili Elbe, was one of the first known recipients of a gender reassignment surgery. In 2015, her life was brought to the forefront of many people's minds when Alicia Vikander won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the film. Despite the film's success at the Academy Awards, there was a fair share of inaccuracies in the story on the big screen.

]]>20:01clean14fullThe Social NetworkThe Social NetworkMon, 15 Aug 2016 11:00:00 +0000The Social Network tells the story behind one of the world's most popular websites, Facebook. It's got everything that makes for a great story--there's greed, corruption, lawsuits and Justin Timberlake. But how true is the depiction of the site's early days? Let's find out.

]]>The Social Network tells the story behind one of the world's most popular websites, Facebook. It's got everything that makes for a great story--there's greed, corruption, lawsuits and Justin Timberlake. But how true is the depiction of the site's early days? Let's find out.

]]>31:13clean13fullAnthropoidAnthropoidMon, 08 Aug 2016 11:00:00 +0000Anthropoid hits theaters on Friday.It's the story of how the Czechoslovakian government, forced into exile after the Germans occupied their homeland in 1938, tried to fight back and take down Reinhard Heydrich at the height of World War II. Learn the true story before you see the movie.

]]>Anthropoid hits theaters on Friday.It's the story of how the Czechoslovakian government, forced into exile after the Germans occupied their homeland in 1938, tried to fight back and take down Reinhard Heydrich at the height of World War II. Learn the true story before you see the movie.

]]>46:36clean12fullAliAliMon, 01 Aug 2016 11:00:00 +0000Will Smith would say Ali was the film he was most proud of as an actor. And it tells a very important story of a true legend: Muhammad Ali.

Although it wasn't a box office success by the numbers, Will Smith and Jon Voight would go on to be nominated for their own Academy Awards for the film for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.

]]>Will Smith would say Ali was the film he was most proud of as an actor. And it tells a very important story of a true legend: Muhammad Ali.

Although it wasn't a box office success by the numbers, Will Smith and Jon Voight would go on to be nominated for their own Academy Awards for the film for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.

]]>33:22clean11fullPain & GainPain & GainMon, 25 Jul 2016 11:00:00 +0000Pain & Gain is the first comedy we've covered here on the show. It was also the first comedy for Michael Bay since another Miami-based story, Bad Boys II in 2003. Another first for Pain & Gain is that, unlike the Transformer series, it's Michael Bay's first movie with a shred of truth. But the real story is anything but a comedy.

]]>Pain & Gain is the first comedy we've covered here on the show. It was also the first comedy for Michael Bay since another Miami-based story, Bad Boys II in 2003. Another first for Pain & Gain is that, unlike the Transformer series, it's Michael Bay's first movie with a shred of truth. But the real story is anything but a comedy.

]]>25:52clean10fullZodiacZodiacMon, 18 Jul 2016 11:00:00 +0000In 2007, director David Fincher helmed the movie simply entitled, Zodiac, which tells the thrilling story of a rash of killings in the 1960s and 70s.

Despite the film's failure at the box office, the subject is one that seems to pique the public's interest whenever it's mentioned.

In fact, it was just a few months ago during this year's presidential race in the United States when an internet meme led to a conspiracy that Republican Senator Ted Cruz was compared to an infamous serial killer known only as the Zodiac Killer.

The conspiracy grew enough attention that Cruz's wife even replied to the comments, and of course she denied the claim.

And while it's silly to assume Cruz, who was born in 1970, is a serial killer who has murders attributed to them going back as far as the late 1960s, the Zodiac Killer is one of those mysteries that keeps people wondering.

Perhaps it's because, to this day, it's still unexplained.

Transcript, music credits and full show notes are here: http://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/09-zodiac

]]>In 2007, director David Fincher helmed the movie simply entitled, Zodiac, which tells the thrilling story of a rash of killings in the 1960s and 70s.

Despite the film's failure at the box office, the subject is one that seems to pique the public's interest whenever it's mentioned.

In fact, it was just a few months ago during this year's presidential race in the United States when an internet meme led to a conspiracy that Republican Senator Ted Cruz was compared to an infamous serial killer known only as the Zodiac Killer.

The conspiracy grew enough attention that Cruz's wife even replied to the comments, and of course she denied the claim.

And while it's silly to assume Cruz, who was born in 1970, is a serial killer who has murders attributed to them going back as far as the late 1960s, the Zodiac Killer is one of those mysteries that keeps people wondering.

Perhaps it's because, to this day, it's still unexplained.

Transcript, music credits and full show notes are here: http://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/09-zodiac

]]>33:44clean9fullCatch Me If You CanCatch Me If You CanMon, 11 Jul 2016 11:00:00 +0000 In 2002, Steven Spielberg started filming the life of Frank Abagnale. Fortunately it only took about four months of filming for Spielberg to get the shots he needed. On Christmas Day of 2002, Spielberg's DreamWorks released Catch Me If You Can. The movie, which was directed by Spielberg himself, starred a young Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale along with other Hollywood stars such as Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen.

The film was a box office hit as it raked in over $160 million dollars.

Frank Abagnale himself gave the film that was based on his life story some high praise -- but he was quick to point out there were plenty of inaccuracies. According to Frank, "it's important to understand that it is just a movie…not a biographical documentary."

So who was Frank Abagnale? And what is the true story of one of the world's most prolific con artists?

Transcript, music credits and full show notes are here:

http://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/08-catch-me-if-you-can

]]> In 2002, Steven Spielberg started filming the life of Frank Abagnale. Fortunately it only took about four months of filming for Spielberg to get the shots he needed. On Christmas Day of 2002, Spielberg's DreamWorks released Catch Me If You Can. The movie, which was directed by Spielberg himself, starred a young Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale along with other Hollywood stars such as Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen.

The film was a box office hit as it raked in over $160 million dollars.

Frank Abagnale himself gave the film that was based on his life story some high praise -- but he was quick to point out there were plenty of inaccuracies. According to Frank, "it's important to understand that it is just a movie…not a biographical documentary."

So who was Frank Abagnale? And what is the true story of one of the world's most prolific con artists?

Transcript, music credits and full show notes are here:

http://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/08-catch-me-if-you-can

]]>42:14clean8fullThe Hunt for Red OctoberThe Hunt for Red OctoberMon, 27 Jun 2016 11:00:00 +0000Tom Clancy is known for his captivating military stories with stunningly accurate technical details. Clancy's career started with a fascinating novel: The Hunt for Red October.

The Hunt for Red October is based on the true story of a brilliant young political officer by the name of Valery Sablin. While Clancy was praised by military officers for its technical accuracy, as it turns out the story of Valery Sablin differs pretty significantly from Hollywood's version.

]]>Tom Clancy is known for his captivating military stories with stunningly accurate technical details. Clancy's career started with a fascinating novel: The Hunt for Red October.

The Hunt for Red October is based on the true story of a brilliant young political officer by the name of Valery Sablin. While Clancy was praised by military officers for its technical accuracy, as it turns out the story of Valery Sablin differs pretty significantly from Hollywood's version.

]]>38:39clean7fullFree State of JonesFree State of JonesMon, 13 Jun 2016 11:00:00 +0000Next Friday, on June 24th, director Gary Ross, the three-time Academy Award nominated writer and director behind Seabiscuit, The Hunger Games and Pleasantville, has taken his place behind the camera once again in a movie he's written.

This time Ross takes his talents back in time to tell the true true story of a farmer in Mississippi named Newton Knight. But how much of Free State of Jones is truth? Get to know the true story before you see the movie in this week's podcast.

Transcript, music credits and full show notes are here:

http://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/06-free-state-jones/

]]>Next Friday, on June 24th, director Gary Ross, the three-time Academy Award nominated writer and director behind Seabiscuit, The Hunger Games and Pleasantville, has taken his place behind the camera once again in a movie he's written.

This time Ross takes his talents back in time to tell the true true story of a farmer in Mississippi named Newton Knight. But how much of Free State of Jones is truth? Get to know the true story before you see the movie in this week's podcast.

Transcript, music credits and full show notes are here:

http://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/06-free-state-jones/

]]>39:43clean6full300300Mon, 30 May 2016 11:00:00 +0000This year, Zack Snyder directed the epic Batman v Superman superhero movie, but it wasn't his first foray into comics. In fact, that came in 2006 when he directed the epic retelling of Frank Miller's popular comic book, 300. The movie with the same name was a smash hit and became an instant classic as it told the story of the hero King Leonidas and his small band of 300 Spartans against an insurmountable horde of enemies. But we all know Synder's interpretation was based on Miller's comic, so how much of it was actually true?

]]>This year, Zack Snyder directed the epic Batman v Superman superhero movie, but it wasn't his first foray into comics. In fact, that came in 2006 when he directed the epic retelling of Frank Miller's popular comic book, 300. The movie with the same name was a smash hit and became an instant classic as it told the story of the hero King Leonidas and his small band of 300 Spartans against an insurmountable horde of enemies. But we all know Synder's interpretation was based on Miller's comic, so how much of it was actually true?

]]>42:28cleanzack,epic,300,greek,sparta,spartans,snyder,defeat,persian,spartan,thermopylae5fullFrost/NixonFrost/NixonMon, 16 May 2016 10:00:00 +0000Eight years ago, in 2008, Ron Howard directed the Oscar-nominated retelling of what are still the most popular political interviews to ever air on national TV. Frost/Nixon tells the story of 12 interviews performed by British talk-show host David Frost with the former President Nixon. The interviews were performed three years after Nixon had made history by becoming the first United States president -- and only president -- to ever resign from office. Then, in the interviews, Nixon did something else a president never does -- admit guilt on national TV.

]]>Eight years ago, in 2008, Ron Howard directed the Oscar-nominated retelling of what are still the most popular political interviews to ever air on national TV. Frost/Nixon tells the story of 12 interviews performed by British talk-show host David Frost with the former President Nixon. The interviews were performed three years after Nixon had made history by becoming the first United States president -- and only president -- to ever resign from office. Then, in the interviews, Nixon did something else a president never does -- admit guilt on national TV.

]]>37:54clean4fullThe Imitation GameThe Imitation GameMon, 02 May 2016 10:00:00 +0000Benedict Cumberbatch and Kiera Knightley starred in 2014's The Imitation Game. Set in the midst of World War II, The Imitation Game tells the story of British mathematician Alan Turing and his quest to conquer the German Enigma code. While the movie did a great job relaying what it did, there's more to the story of Turing's amazing life and its incredibly sad end.

]]>Benedict Cumberbatch and Kiera Knightley starred in 2014's The Imitation Game. Set in the midst of World War II, The Imitation Game tells the story of British mathematician Alan Turing and his quest to conquer the German Enigma code. While the movie did a great job relaying what it did, there's more to the story of Turing's amazing life and its incredibly sad end.

]]>27:42cleangermany,war,true,story,history,world,game,code,alan,imitation,enigma,turing,cipher,benedict,knightley,cumberbatch,kiera3full4242Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:00:00 +0000On April 15th, Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, in honor of the man who broke down racial barriers by becoming the first black player in the MLB. A few years ago, a movie named after Jackie's jersey number -- 42 -- was released to an extremely positive critical response.

How much of the story was true and what was missing from the movie? We'll find out in this week's episode about the movie 42.

]]>On April 15th, Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, in honor of the man who broke down racial barriers by becoming the first black player in the MLB. A few years ago, a movie named after Jackie's jersey number -- 42 -- was released to an extremely positive critical response.

How much of the story was true and what was missing from the movie? We'll find out in this week's episode about the movie 42.

]]>24:28clean2fullThe RevenantThe RevenantSat, 02 Apr 2016 14:53:04 +0000When a movie says it's based on a true story, how much of that is actually real? In our first episode we'll look at the true story behind 2015's blockbuster hit The Revenant.

Music credits and more show notes can be found here:

http://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/01-the-revenant/

]]>When a movie says it's based on a true story, how much of that is actually real? In our first episode we'll look at the true story behind 2015's blockbuster hit The Revenant.